Impossible Desires (novella) Read Online Free PDF Page A

at a quaint little cottage before him. But something drew him back to the other window.
    “It’s beautiful, but what’s behind that tree?”
    Eleanor smiled a secret smile.
    “That’s the old groundkeeper’s house. I recently had it refurbished.”
    Gareth felt his body begin to stir. His imagination was beginning to run away with him.
    “What for, Eleanor?”
    Smiling her Mistress smile, she held out her hand.
    “Help me out of the carriage and if you are good, I may show you later.”
    Gareth opened the door and jumped out of the carriage so fast that Eleanor laughed.
    God, that sound made him happy.
    They were both dressed in their riding costumes already so Gareth asked the obvious question.
    “Shall we go straight to the stables, my lady?”
    Eleanor smiled in agreement and turned to address the footmen.
    “Please take my bags inside and prepare lunch for us, ready to be served in an hour. We will have returned then.”
    Turning back to him, she squeezed his arm gently.
    “The stables are just behind the house.”
    Gareth began walking in the direction she pointed and held onto her tighter. How could he feel such a need to protect her and yield to her at the same time?
    “I have the most magnificent horse for you, Gareth.”
    “For me?” Gareth asked, surprised.
    “Yes. If you like him, we shall see if we can buy him. He is on loan from a neighbor.”
    Eleanor winked at him and pulled her hand from his arm. She walked over to the stalls and pushed open the doors.
    Gareth stopped walking, overwhelmed by her thoughtful gesture. How long had she planned this? Did he really want to know? Shaking his head, Gareth decided he didn’t.
    A powerful whinny sounded from the end of the stables and the hairs on his arm prickled up. It had been too long since he had ridden a horse faster than a walk. His mother’s illness kept him in London most of the time.
    Excitement like he had known only as a young child crept into Gareth’s belly. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been given a gift.
    Eleanor stood in front of the last stall, stroking the nose of a huge bay stallion.
    “Gareth, meet Apollo.”
    Unable to resist, he reached out and the stallion forcefully pushed his nose into Gareth’s hand. He instantly fell in love.
    “I’m going to see to my mare. You two get acquainted and then lead him out.”
    Gareth nodded but couldn’t take his eyes off the horse in front of him. He was magnificent. The color of the sun, he was as strong and powerful as the Greek God he had been named after.
    He rubbed Apollo’s nose and neck, opened the door and led the horse out by his reins. He had already been saddled.
    Gareth walked the horse further out of the stables, laughing when Apollo threw back his head to nicker his happiness.
    Gareth put his foot in the stirrup and threw his leg over the saddle.
    Apollo shifted beneath him. Heart pumping and excitement surging in his blood, Gareth squeezed his legs to coax him to walk.
    The horse immediately surged forward.
    “You like him?” Eleanor laughed as she emerged from another entrance.
    “I think I’m in love,” Gareth admitted, looking straight into Eleanor’s green eyes.
    Realizing his error, he lowered his head and stroked Apollo’s neck
    “With the horse.”
    Eleanor smiled but didn’t say anything. Gareth swallowed and took a deep breath. He really should think before he opened his mouth.
    “My mare is newly pregnant so I can’t ride her too hard, but Apollo needs the exercise. His owner informs me that hard and long is best.”
    Gareth quirked an eyebrow. Was she trying to arouse him again?
    “Let’s go then.”
    Gareth kicked Apollo into a canter and almost heard the animal complain about the pace. He wanted to run.
    Gareth looked over his shoulder at Eleanor and smiled. “I’m going to let him loose.”
    She nodded and pointed in a direction to their left. “Go that way. There is only one fence and he can clear it easily.”
    Gareth nodded,